Event listings are FREE of charge. Send your flyers/info to Scott at scotmckie@ebci-nsn.gov or to Cherokeeonefeather1966@gmail.com
BENEFITS/FUNDRAISERS
Turkey Shoots at the Jesse Welch Turkey Shoot Facility in Kolanvyi (Big Cove). Good food, good fun, great prizes, great benefits.
- Nov. 30 at 3 p.m., benefit for the Tracy and Cindee West family
- Dec. 14 at 3 p.m., benefit for the Tracy and Cindee West family
- Jan. 1, 2025 at 3 p.m., sponsored by Norman Walkingstick
EBCI COMMUNITY EVENTS
Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the Big Y Community Club. Nov. 28 at 12 p.m. at the Big Y Gym at 2641 Wrights Creek Rd. in Cherokee, N.C. Bring a side dish or dessert if you are able.
Assemblage/Collaging Workshop with Isabella Saunooke. Nov. 30 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Museum of the Cherokee People multipurpose room in Cherokee, N.C. Explore the freedom and collaborative nature of art using a myriad of materials and methods. Participants are invited to bring materials they are willing to share (old magazines, a piece of cardboard, recycled or found paper, leaves, bubble wrap, newspaper, etc.) and materials for their own use only (a photo, specific text, etc.). Workshop leader Isabella Saunooke, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, grew up in Sylva and now lives in New York. She believes in art as a spiritual practice— a way to connect with the inner and outer world. This workshop is free and open to all. Registration is not required.
All I Want For Christmas Bazaar. Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Peaches Squirrell Sports & Recreation Center. Shopping, food, and fun. Lunch by Melishia. Info: Denise Walkingstick (828) 508-2211
NAIWA-Sponsored Christmas Bazaar. Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pam Taylor Painttown Gym in Cherokee, N.C. Local shopping and food. Info: Lucille Wolfe (828) 736-5285
Annual Cherokee Central Schools Indian Market Bazaar. Dec. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Elementary and Middle School gymnasiums. This is sponsored by the CCS Cultural Dept. A frybread fundraiser will also be held. For more information or to reserve a table, contact Jakeli Swimmer or Laura Pinnix (828) 554-5004.
Cherokee Choices Cookies and Cocoa Open House Event. Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cherokee Choices off of Acquoni Road in Cherokee, N.C. See what free programs Cherokee Choices has to offer. Free refreshments. Info: April Innis (828) 359-6201 or apriinni@ebci-nsn.gov
Cherokee Christmas Parade. Dec. 14 in downtown Cherokee, N.C. Info: (828) 359-6490
EBCI COMMUNITY REGULAR MEETINGS
Cherokee Storytellers meet the fourth Tuesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ray Kinsland Leadership building in Cherokee, N.C. All ages are welcome. The group shares stories and resources.
Cherokee storytelling and Cherokee history in the Snowbird Community Library at 60 Snowbird School Rd. in Robbinsville, N.C., every fourth Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. All ages are welcome.
TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETINGS
(All meetings are held in the Cherokee Tribal Council House in Cherokee, N.C. unless otherwise noted.)
HEALTH & SPORTS EVENTS
POW WOW LISTINGS
Giving Thanks Pow Wow. Nov. 28 at the Taos Pueblo Community Center in Taos, N.M. MC: Leslie Trujillo. Host Drums: Slice of Southern, Hail Creek. Info: No contact information provided
52nd Annual Poarch Band of Creek Indians Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Nov. 28-29 in Atmore, Ala. Host Drums: Bear Creek, Iron Bow, Medicine Tail. Info: Christ Blackburn (251) 368-9136, cblackburn@pci-nsn.gov
Ute Indian Tribe Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Nov. 28-29 in the Fort Duchesne Gym in Fort Duchesne, Utah. MC: Ruben Little Head. Host Drum: Fork Peck Sioux. Info: vendors contact, Lauren Lomahaftewa (435) 823-4665
Cabazon Indio Pow Wow. Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Cabazon Indian Reservation in Indio, Calif. Emcees: Vince Byle, Edmond Nevaquaya. Info: Michael Mirelez (760) 984-9371, mmirelez@cabazonindians-nsn.gov; or Jim Red Eagle (605) 423-1452, jimredeagle@hotmail.com
Ponca Chapter NAC 4th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Dance. Nov. 29 at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center in Ponca City, Okla. MC: JR Ross. Head Southern Singer: Anthony Monoessey. Info: No contact information provided
Billings Pow Wow. Nov 30 – Dec. 1 at the Billings MetraPark Expo Center in Billings, Mont. Emcees: Don Racine and Jonathan Windyboy. Host Drum: Midnite Express. Info: Billings Pow Wow Committee (406) 259-0138, billings.powwow@gmail.com
SUPPORT GROUPS
Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Analenisgi. Info: www.AAwnc80.com
Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Cherokee Baptist Church at 812 Tsalagi Road, in Cherokee, N.C. This is a Christ-centered recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, hang-ups, and habits of any kind. All are welcome. Info: Chris McMillan (828) 788-5410
Cherokee Cancer Support Group, potluck dinner with a speaker the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Betty’s Place, 40 Goose Creek Rd, Cherokee, N.C. Anyone is welcome to attend the potluck. The group provides educational and emotional support to clients and families of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians members with cancer. The group can provide financial assistance for fuel, lodging, and transportation and also can assist with mastectomy items, nutritional supplements, wigs, and related products. The group can volunteer to take a client to their appointment if it is requested in a timely manner. Betty’s Place is open Monday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: (828) 497-0788
Life Recovery is a Bible-based 12-step small group meeting held Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. held in the Rivercane Conference Room at Analenisgi. All material is provided. This small group is for anyone struggling in life with addiction, food, depression, anxiety, relationships, or spiritual struggles. Info: Deb Conseen-Bradley at kellideb@gmail.com or Scott Hill (828) 508-7836
Life@WesternCarolina. each Wednesday morning during the academic school year the Life@ group meets on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. For those over the age of 50 and looking for ways to engage with the community. To learn more or register visit life.wcu.edu or contact Western Carolina University Educational Outreach (828) 227-7397.
MARA (Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous) meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. in the Rivercane Room at Analenisgi. Info: Analenisgi (828) 497-9163 or visit: https://cherokeehospital.org/locations/analenisgi
WESTERN N.C. & BEYOND EVENTS
Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society Annual Holiday Party. Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center at 45 East Ridge Dr. in Bryson City, N.C. The evening will begin with a potluck meal. Everyone is asked to bring your favorite traditional holiday food to share. Yona Wade, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, will be performing music of the season.
Have Breakfast with Santa. Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center at 121 Schoolhouse Rd. in Robbinsville, N.C. Cookie decoration, ornament craft. $8 per person. Bring your own camera. Info: (828) 479-3364
Christmas in the Mountains Art & Craft Show. Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center at 121 Schoolhouse Rd. in Robbinsville, N.C. Info: (828) 479-3364
“Visions of Christmas: 1862”. Dec. 7 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site at 2620 South Roan St. in Johnson City, Tenn. Reenactors and volunteers will be in period clothing to recreate the atmosphere of the late months of 1862 for the Haynes family and Northeast Tennessee as the young nation was grappling with the American Civil War. Admission: $6/adults, $3/children 12 and under. Members of the Tipton-Haynes Historical Association receive free admission. For more information to make a reservation (highly recommended) for the 1862 Christmas candlelight tour, call (423) 926-3631 or email tiptonhayes@outlook.com